Why Roughnecks Hate the Safety Guy (And Need Him)

Ever wondered what really goes into keeping oilfield workers safe? We put an HSE specialist on the spot with all the “dumb” questions, like what happens if there’s H2S in the air, or whether bison herds are actually a thing on site. David Valerio from DNOW breaks down safety in plain English, mixing serious insight with plenty of laughs. From OSHA rules and environmental compliance to the realities of working in the freezing North Dakota fields, he explains how safety shapes everything in oil and gas. It’s part education, part storytelling, and totally eye-opening for anyone curious about how the industry protects its people and the planet.

Click here to watch a video of this episode.

Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.
Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.
Apply today at collide.io

Click here to view the episode transcript.

00:00 - Intro
00:22 - What is HSE (Health, Safety, Environment)
05:55 - Day to Day of an HSE Professional
09:58 - Long-Term Projects in HSE
13:38 - Understanding OSHA Regulations
16:40 - Politics in Health and Safety
19:37 - Historical Safety Practices
22:24 - Safety Culture in Oil & Gas Industry
28:47 - Achieving Zero Incidents in Safety
30:26 - New Technology and Innovation in Safety
33:40 - Environmental Considerations in Energy
38:35 - Balancing Pro-Environment and Pro-Energy
41:49 - Solutions to Global Energy Problems
42:46 - Seeking a Balanced Energy Approach
44:37 - Actions You Can Take for Safety
47:06 - Future of World Energy Mix
55:40 - Net Zero by 2050: Reality or Myth?
57:48 - Energy Transition vs. Energy Addition
01:03:26 - North Dakota Energy: Oil, Gas, Renewables
01:06:33 - Overview of North Dakota Energy Landscape
01:11:30 - Winter Challenges in North Dakota
01:13:59 - Life in Small Towns
01:14:37 - Alma Cook's Contributions
01:17:15 - Population Growth vs. North Dakota's Future
01:19:05 - Discern Earth: Environmental Insights

https://twitter.com/collide_io

https://www.tiktok.com/@collide.io

https://www.facebook.com/collide.io

https://www.instagram.com/collide.io

https://www.youtube.com/@collide_io

https://bsky.app/profile/digitalwildcatters.bsky.social

https://www.linkedin.com/company/collide-digital-wildcatters